ISSN: 2350-0328

International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

Aluminium Formwork Technology

Himanshu Rivankar, Akshay Chordiya
P.G. Student, Department of Civil Engineering (Construction Management) MIT College of Management, Pune, India.
P.G. Student, Department of Civil Engineering (Construction Management) MIT College of Management, Pune, India.

ABSTRACT: Now-a-days due to globalization, the construction industry has started focusing on new innovative ways
of working. The construction industry has started adopting new technologies and approaches in order to increase the
overall efficiency of the project. Formwork, which holds and supports wet concrete till such time it cures, is a very
vital element in concrete construction. This paper aims to compare merits and demerits by using a conventional timber
formwork system and modern Aluminum formwork systems. The comparisons include costs, time, and quality of these
systems. Aluminum Formwork technique in construction industry in developed countries has improved the standard
of the construction industry.

KEYWORDS: Conventional Technique, Aluminium Formwork Technique, Cost, Quality, Time, Trend.

I. INTRODUCTION

The construction industry is one of the biggest industries in the whole world. The contribution of this industry towards
the global GDP is enormous. In recent years due to globalization and advancement in technologies there has been a
tremendous development in the construction industry. However despite of the boom in construction activities the
scenario on the housing front remains far from satisfactory.

Due to ever increasing population in countries there is an overgrowing demand for housing. Now keeping in view the
gigantic task of providing affordable shelter to masses, adoption of modern and cost effective technology assumes
greater significance.

Formwork system has significant role in the construction process, making the right decision by choosing the
appropriate formwork system could lead to response to sustainable construction. Different systems have their own
advantages but one needs to choose a formwork which best supports individual project requirement.

The Aluminum Formwork System was developed by W. J. Malone, a Canadian Engineer in the late 1970s as a
system for constructing low–cost housing unit in developing countries. The units were to be of cast-in-place concrete,
with load bearing walls using a formwork of aluminum panels. To be erected by the hundreds, of a repetitive design,
the system ensured a fast and economical method of construction

The technology has been used extensively in countries such as Europe, Gulf Countries, Asia and all other parts of the
world. This technology is suitable for constructing large number of houses within short time using room size forms. In
this system of formwork construction, cast - in - situ concrete wall and floor slabs are casted monolithically in one
continuous pour. Large room sized forms for walls and floors slabs are erected at site. These forms are strong, easy to
handle and are fabricated with accuracy. They can be used repetitively around 150times.

Aluminum formwork system is construction system for forming cast in place concrete structure of building. It is also a
system for scheduling and controlling the work of other construction trends such as steel reinforcement, concrete
placement and mechanical and electrical conduits. This type of construction requires a restructuring of the entire
conventional construction process to enable interaction between the design phase and production planning in order to
improve and speed up the construction.

II. TECHNOLOGY

Aluminium Formwork System is highly suited to load bearing wall construction whereas traditional formwork
consisting of plywood and timber is not suitable to the high pressures of fresh concrete on the wall.

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 ISSN: 2350-0328
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

COST: Use of this formwork in load bearing design gives an average of 15 per cent cost saving in the structure of the
building and increased usable floor space of 8 per cent over RCC design.

TIME: For 100 per cent work, construction through slab beam wall construction takes X time and through Aluminium
Formwork technology the time required is 1/6th of the X time.

ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY: The technology is environment friendly as there is no use of timber. The formwork
gives the box or cellular design resulting in the walls giving support to the super structure in two directions. As a result,
the structures are more resistant to earthquakes than the traditional RCC column and beam designs.

LIFTING: As the Aluminium Formwork is lightweight, no tower cranes are required for the same unlike in tunnel
framework.

LABOURS: Due to simplicity of the assembly, only unskilled labors are required with minimal supervision.

REPETITIONS: The Aluminium Formwork System is removable and can be reused hundreds of times with little
maintenance.

SCRAP VALUE: Moreover, the requirement of steel is also reduced in this technology as aluminum has a higher scrap
value.

III. EXPLANATION

Fig 1.01 Components of Aluminum Formwork

The above figure 1.01 shows the various components used in the aluminum formwork system. All the components are
properly manufactured in the factory as per the dimensions provided by the architect. These components and buffed for
any deviation during transportation at site.
These components are installed after the 1st slab casted in conventional formwork to avoid any change in the footprint
of the structure to be constructed. The following figures shows the various internal fittings used to assemble the
formwork into correct posture.

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 ISSN: 2350-0328
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

Wedge pins Tie rods

Fig 1.02 Components of aluminium formwork for support and connections

Fig 1.03. Typical Diagrammatic explanation of erection of Aluminum Formwork

The components are interconnected to each other and also designed in the same perspective. The different components
are named or numbered according to the series of their construction erection progress and should be done in the similar
way. This makes it easier for the supervisor to understand the errors to be minimised during erection.

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 ISSN: 2350-0328
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

Fig 1.04.Elevation & Bird View of Aluminum Formwork Slab Construction

Fig.1.05. Concreting of Slab with RMC in Aluminum Formwork

Since the construction in aluminium formwork becomes a monolithic structure, the columns, beams and slab are casted
together in a stretch which brings up the need of RMC for the construction purpose.
It is a good or healthy sign for the construction industry because the properties of the concrete are as desired and cannot
be altered, and appropriate strength can be achieved significantly.
The following chart shows the slab cycle for construction in Aluminium formwork, showing the minimum required
cast for casting a slab in such formwork proving time efficient factor.

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 ISSN: 2350-0328
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

Fig 1.06 Slab Cycle for Aluminium Formwork

IV. COMPARISON

Comparison Chart for Aluminiumvs Conventional Formwork

Sr. No Description Aluminium Formwork Conventional Formwork

1. Quality of work More Less

2. Time Taken for installation Less More

3. Supervision required Less More

4. Plastering Not required Required

5. Initial Cost More Less

6. Scrap Value High Less

7. Finish of RCC Components Smooth Rough

8. Monolithic Construction Yes No

9. Slab Cycle 10 days 21days

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 ISSN: 2350-0328
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

10. Repetitions 150 time’s 20 time’s

11. Suitability Only high rise Bldg. Any type of

construction.
12. Future Modifications Less chances More

V. MERITS AND DEMERITS

ADVANTAGES:

i. No plastering required.
ii. Savings on overhead expenses due to speedy construction (10 days per floor).
iii. Monolithic crack free structures.
iv. Doesn't require timber or plywood for construction activities.
v. Casting of walls and slabs possible simultaneously.
vi. Doesn't require skilled labour can be erected using unskilled labour.
vii. Floor slab forms removed without moving props.
viii. More seismic resistance.
ix. Uniform quality of construction.
x. Unsurpassed construction speed.
xi. High quality finish.
xii. Eliminates plastering.
xiii. Saves almost 50 percent construction time.
xiv. The system becomes cost effective where there is considerable repetition of floor layouts on a project such as
in the case of low cost mass housing.
xv. Panels can be re used up to 150 times.
xvi. Requires no cranes or heavy lifting equipment.
xvii. Suitable for high rise buildings.
xviii. No need to use any timber or plywood.
xix. After the 25 cycles of reusing of our formwork system we will reach the breakeven point of the conventional
formwork cost.

DISADVANTAGES:

i. Initial high investment.

ii. Compares very poorly on modifications, against brick work constructions.
iii. Heat of hydration is high due to shear walls.
iv. Fear of theft of valuable Aluminium Extrusions & sheets & hence kit not being complete at critical stages
of construction.
v. Mass Housing projects are not as high for investing in large number of Aluminium Formwork.

VI. CONCLUSION

It is the need of time to analyze the depth of the problem and find effective solutions. Formwork technology serves as a
cost effective and efficient tool to solve the problems of the mega housing project all over the world. It aims to
maximize the use of modern construction techniques and equipment’s on its entire project. This technology has great
potential for application in India to provide affordable housing to its rising population.

Thus it can be concluded that quality and speed must be given due consideration with regards to economy. Good
construction will never put off to projects speed nor will it be uneconomical. Thus, we can conclude that the overall
cost of the project using Aluminium formwork technology is lesser when compared to project using traditional methods.

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 ISSN: 2350-0328
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
Vol. 4, Issue 4 , April 2017

REFERENCES

[1] “Building Formwork”, Building construction by B.C. Punima (2008 edition).

[2] "Emerging Trends in Formwork and Scaffolding", CE & CR.
[3] Development Research on Application of Aluminium-Framed Timber Formwork to Cast-in-Place Shear Wall in High-Rise Residential
Building[J];Building Construction;2013-02
[4] Runwal Group.

AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY
Mr.Himanshu Rivankar received B.E.Civil Degree from Mumbai University with Distinction currently pursuing for
Master’s Degree in Civil(Construction Management) from MIT College of Management studying in 4 semester 2nd
year 2017.

Mr. Akshay Chordiya received B.E.Civil Degree from Pune University currently pursuing for Master’s Degree in Civil
(Construction Management) from MIT College of Management studying in 4 semester 2nd year 2017.

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